Hi

I am planning a dive trip to Phuket in April. I just heard that some dive sites are closed due to coral bleaching. I plan to do a liveaboard in the Simlans as well as a day trip to Anemone Reef, Koh Doc Mai and Shark Point. Will my dive plans be affected?

In April the biggest possibility of disruption of your plans is having your liveaboard trip canceled for weather reasons or lack of sufficient bookings. But in relation to the closures of several areas popular with divers and snorkelers, you don't have anything to worry about. Alternative dive sites are available in the Similans and the Phuket sites you mention are still beautiful.

In April a liveaboard canceled because of weather reasons? Does not happen.

None of the daytrip sites from Phuket are effected, and in the Similans 1, maybe 2, sites where there used to be dived are experiencing coral bleaching. The diving is still very nice.

It does happen and it has. Not every year, it's true, but I can cite specific instances from 2009.

Nevertheless, the message remains the same: the OP has no reason for concern in regard to closures due to coral bleaching.

This hardly ever happens, and if it does the unmentioned but real reason is: not enough people to confirm the trip.

Yes, very true.

Hi

SO what happens if I book and pay and the dive operator cancells because of either the weather or lack of people?

Depends on the booking conditions of the company you book with of course, but with us you'd get a full, 100% refund. If the reason is 'lack of people' we'd also try to get you on a boat that will be going out within your timeframe.

Generally speaking, good operators don't confirm very-late-season trips without sufficient numbers, and deposits are due only on confirmation of trips. Your agent can help you by making a provisional reservation on a boat, and when the trip is confirmed a proper booking. I don't accept deposits from customers until a trip is confirmed, so there's no need for a refund as the customer still has not paid anything.

When boats actually begin their trips and turn back due to weather, refunds are more problematic, just as they are for any air ticket, hotel reservation or other element of your trip--if the weather is bad and things don't go as you had planned, it's really nobody's fault. This is the time to have trip insurance for lost luggage, cancelled flights, missed boat sailings, etc.

. I just heard that some dive sites are closed due to coral bleaching. I plan to do a liveaboard in the Simlans as well as a day trip to Anemone Reef, Koh Doc Mai and Shark Point. Will my dive plans be affected.

No. It won't impact you at all. Isn't your agent informed about this in order to answer your questions?